“In argumentum ergo fidei retentum pallium ostendit marito revertenti domum,”
“And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.”
“So Potiphar’s wife kept Joseph’s cloak beside her until his master came home.”
“She laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.”
“And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.”
A proof of her fidelity, or an argument to gain credit, argumentum fidei. (Challoner) — Love neglected, turns to fury. She wishes to take away Joseph’s life, according to the laws of Egypt against adulterers. Diodorus says Sesostris burnt some women taken in the crime; and we must attribute it to divine Providence, that the enraged husband did not inflict instant death upon his slave. Perhaps he did not altogether believe him guilty. (Haydock)
Verses 13-18 Joseph's mistress, having tried in vain to make him a guilty man, endeavoured to be avenged on him. Those that have broken the bonds of modesty, will never be held by the bonds of truth. It is no new thing for the best of men to be falsely accused of the worst of crimes, by those who themselves are the worst of criminals. It is well there is a day of discovery coming, in which all shall appear in their true characters.